Neamblysomus julianae Juliana’s Golden Mole · Juliana’s Golden Mole is considered locally...
Transcript of Neamblysomus julianae Juliana’s Golden Mole · Juliana’s Golden Mole is considered locally...
The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Neamblysomus julianae | 1
Taxonomy
Neamblysomus julianae (Meester 1972)
ANIMALIA - CHORDATA - MAMMALIA - AFROSORICIDA -
CHRYSOCHLORIDAE - Neamblysomus - julianae
Synonyms: Amblysomus julianae (Meester 1972)
Common names: Juliana’s Golden Mole (English),
Juliana se Gouemol (Afrikaans)
Neamblysomus julianae – Juliana’s Golden Mole
Regional Red List status (2016) Endangered B2ab(iii)*
Bronberg Ridge
subpopulation
Critically Endangered
B1ab(ii,iii,iv) + 2ab
(ii,iii,iv)*†
National Red List status (2004) Vulnerable B2ab(ii,iii)
Bronberg Ridge subpopulation Critically Endangered
A2c; B1ab (i-v) +
B2ab (i-v)
Reasons for change Non-genuine change:
New information
Bronberg Ridge subpopulation No change
Global Red List status (2015) Endangered B2ab(iii)
Bronberg Ridge subpopulation Critically Endangered
B1ab(ii,iii,iv) + 2ab
(ii,iii,iv)
TOPS listing (NEMBA) None
CITES listing None
Endemic Yes
Recommended citation: Maree S, Bennett NC, Bronner GN. 2016. A conservation assessment of Neamblysomus
julianae. In Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Selier J, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of
Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife
Trust, South Africa.
Craig Jackson
Taxonomic status: Species and subpopulation
Taxonomic notes: Bronner (1995, 2013) assigned this
species to the genus Neamblysomus. Consistent colour,
dental and DNA differences exist between the topotypical
subpopulations from the eastern (Kruger National Park)
and western geographical extremes (Bronberg Ridge and
Modimolle) of its distributional range suggesting that
these are potentially distinct species (Bronner 1990,
1995). Furthermore, ongoing molecular research suggests
pronounced genetic partitioning between the Kruger
National Park (KNP) and the other two subpopulations
(Maree et al. 2003; Jackson 2007). More specimens from
the KNP area are urgently needed to clarify the taxonomic
status of this subpopulation. The outcome could have
profound implications for the conservation status of the
species.
Assessment Rationale
In 2004 and 2008 the species was listed as Vulnerable in
view of estimated area of occupancy (AOO; < 2,000 km²).
New information led to more accurate calculations of AOO
(160 km2) and confirmed that the population is severely
fragmented. It is known from only three isolated and range
-restricted subpopulations in South Africa, two of which
occur within protected areas. There are no intermediate
distribution records suggesting no gene flow between
them. Only a small part of the range of the subpopulation
occurring in and around Nylsvley Provincial Nature
Reserve (Modimolle district, Limpopo), falls within this
protected area; the rest being in adjoining farmlands
where suitable habitat is subject to severe alteration,
degradation and fragmentation. Although almost the entire
range of the KNP subpopulation (Mpumalanga) is
protected in the south-western section of the park, road
infrastructure may form barriers that impede golden mole
movements. For these reasons the species has been up-
listed to Endangered status.
The Bronberg Ridge subpopulation, lying east of Pretoria
(Tshwane, Gauteng), is treated as a distinct
subpopulation, as there are no intermediate locality
records or evidence of gene flow between this
subpopulation and the other two geographically isolated
subpopulations documented in South Africa. Localities
documented in the Bronberg area do not fall in any
national or provincial protected areas. Much of its natural
sandy habitat has been dramatically altered, degraded
and fragmented as a result of intense urbanisation and
high-density housing developments along nearly the
entire length of its very restricted extent of occurrence
(EOO; 9.2 km2) on the Bronberg Ridge. Its entire
distributional range has been fragmented into four
sections by two major roads and a housing development.
Quartzite mining operations pose an additional and severe
threat of destroying the sole remaining primary east-west
dispersal corridor inside the largest intact section of
remaining natural habitat (about 7.5 km x 0.9 km), and
thus requires urgent conservation interventions. Such
impacts are known to lead to genetic erosion (reduced
*Watch-list Data †Conservation Dependent
This is the only golden mole that is actually
golden in colour – the fur of the other species
ranges from orange through varying shades of
brown to black. The name “golden moles” refers
not to fur colour but to the iridescent sheen on the
fur of all species.
Neamblysomus julianae | 2 The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland
Figure 1. Distribution records for Juliana’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus julianae) within the assessment region
variability and inbreeding) and reduced population viability
(also see Conservation). Therefore the reassessment
confirms Critically Endangered status for this
subpopulation.
Distribution
Three geographically separated subpopulations have
been documented:
1. The Bronberg Ridge east of Tshwane (Pretoria),
Gauteng. Records have been confirmed at 10 sites
including west and south of Willows Quarry, The
Willows, The Glades, Wapadrand, Shere Agricultural
Holdings, Bronberg Conservancy and Tygerpoort
Primary School on the northern slopes, and Olympus
and Zwavelpoort on the southern slopes of the ridge
(Jackson et al. 2007). These sites are considered to
Country Presence Origin
Botswana Absent -
Lesotho Absent -
Mozambique Absent -
Namibia Absent -
South Africa Extant Native
Swaziland Absent -
Zimbabwe Absent -
represent one location, as intense threats (habitat loss
and alteration) could lead to rapid and severe
reduction or elimination of the entire subpopulation.
2. Nylsvley flood plain, Modimolle district, Limpopo.
Recorded from Nylsvley Provincial Nature Reserve
and surrounding farms to the south, south-east and
south-west of it (Jackson et al. 2008b; Jackson &
Robertson 2011).
3. Numbi Gate, Pretoriuskop and Matjulwana districts of
the south-western Kruger National Park, in the
Lowveld of Mpumalanga Province (Jackson et al.
2008b).
The very restricted ranges of these subpopulations are
possibly insufficient to ensure the long-term persistence of
the species (Jackson & Robertson 2011). A Species
Distribution Model (SDM) compiled for all three
populations using ecological niche modelling identified
limited potentially suitable habitat for the species and
enabled identification of two previously unrecorded
localities in the Modimolle area (Jackson & Robertson
2011). The first site was c. 20 km due south of the town of
Modimolle and the second site was c. 80 km south east of
Modimolle; and are further than 35 km and 24 km
respectively from the nearest known occurrence of the
species). This confirms previous suggestions of a wider
distribution in the Modimolle area based on skull
fragments identified from owl pellets at Witkoppen Cave,
c. 25 km east of Nylsvley Nature Reserve (Bronner 2013).
No new subpopulations were found in Gauteng.
Table 1. Countries of occurrence within southern Africa
The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Neamblysomus julianae | 3
Population
Juliana’s Golden Mole is considered locally common, with
2–3 individuals / ha in prime habitat. However, dispersion
is patchy and clumped within each subpopulation owing
to specialized habitat requirements (for example, soil
properties; Jackson et al. 2008b).
Current population trend: Unknown (N. julianae);
declining (N. julianae Bronberg Ridge subpopulation).
Continuing decline in mature individuals: Unknown (N.
julianae); yes (N. julianae Bronberg Ridge subpopulation).
Number of mature individuals in population: Unknown
Number of mature individuals in largest subpopulation:
Unknown
Number of subpopulations: Three
Severely fragmented: Yes, this species is only recorded
from three geographically isolated subpopulations in
South Africa.
Habitats and Ecology
This species is confined to sandy soils with tree or
vegetation cover (Jackson et al. 2008a, 2008b), often in
pockets of weathered sandstone associated with rocky
ridges, in the savannah biome of South Africa, and
marginally into the grassland biome in the Tshwane
district (Gauteng). The subpopulation on Nylsvley
floodplain occurs in Clay Thorn Bushveld, the Bronberg
Ridge subpopulation east of Tshwane in Rocky Highveld
Grassland, whereas the KNP locations occur in Sour
Lowveld Bushveld. N. julianae is common in well-irrigated
suburban and rural gardens and small-holdings
supporting livestock. They are, however, absent from
grasslands on the heavier soils of the Mpumalanga
escarpment where the larger-sized A. septentrionalis and
A. robustus instead occur.
The species’ presence is positively correlated with soil
features (poorly graded size distribution of sand particles)
that determine soil density, drainage, compatibility, and
texture and penetration resistance. These influence
energy expenditure of these golden moles during sand
swimming/tunnelling (Jackson et al. 2008b). Subsurface
foraging tunnels are visible as broken ridges on the soil
surface. Most foraging activity occurs within the upper
layer of 10–20 cm (Bronner & Bennett 2005), mainly in the
late afternoon and early evening. Contrary to earlier
reports of strictly nocturnal activity regimes, bimodal (but
flexible) diurnal/nocturnal activity patterns were recently
documented by radio-telemetry tracking of one specimen
for six days in Nylsvley Nature Reserve (Jackson et al.
2008b, 2009). Activity patterns were primarily dependent
on ambient soil temperatures (Ta) and the same resting
sites were consistently used. Body temperature fluctuated
according to Ta and bouts of shallow torpor were recorded
during periods of low soil Ta (Jackson et al. 2009).
Ecosystem and cultural services: Not known to provide
any ecosystem services, but this may simply reflect the
paucity of information available for this poorly known
species.
Use and Trade
This species is not known to be utilised or traded in any
form.
Threats
Inferred major threats are habitat loss, modification and
fragmentation as a result of anthropogenic activities. For
example, urban expansion in Gauteng, Limpopo and
Mpumalanga has increased by 7.5%, 13% and 9.5%
respectively between 2000 and 2013 (GeoTerraImage
2015). The type population on Bronberg Ridge (Gauteng)
is severely impacted by degradation, fragmentation and
loss of its natural soil habitat owing to intensive
Rank Threat description Evidence in the
scientific literature Data quality
Scale of
study Current trend
1 2.1.3 Agro-industry Farming: habitat loss from
agricultural expansion and habitat
degradation from ecologically poor
agricultural practices.
Driver et al. 2012
Jackson et al. 2008a,b
Indirect (remote
sensing)
Indirect
(correlational)
National
Regional
(3 sites)
Stable, but degradation
possibly increasing.
2 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas: habitat loss and
degradation from residential and urban
development and associated infrastructure.
GeoTerraImage 2015 Indirect (remote
sensing)
Regional Increasing
3 1.2 Commercial & Industrial Areas: habitat
loss and degradation from residential and
urban development and associated
infrastructure.
GeoTerraImage 2015 Indirect (remote
sensing)
Regional Increasing
4 3.2 Mining & Quarrying: habitat loss from
mining activities.
Driver et al. 2012
MTPA 2014
Indirect
Indirect
National
Regional
Increasing (based on
number of prospecting
applications received).
5 2.3.2 Small-holder Grazing, Ranching or
Farming: habitat degradation from
overgrazing.
- Anecdotal - -
6 8.1.2 Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species/
Diseases: predation by domestic pets.
- Anecdotal - -
Table 2. Threats to the Juliana’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus julianae) ranked in order of severity with corresponding evidence
(based on IUCN threat categories, with regional context)
Neamblysomus julianae | 4 The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland
urbanisation and an expanding quartzite mining operation
within its highly restricted range. The extent of occurrence
of this subpopulation has been fragmented into four
sections by two major roads and a housing development.
Quartzite mining operations pose an additional and severe
threat of destroying the sole remaining primary east-west
dispersal corridor inside the largest intact patch of
remaining natural habitat (about 7.5 km x 0.9 km)
(Jackson 2007; Jackson et al. 2008b). Such impacts may
lead to genetic erosion (reduced genetic variability via
inbreeding) and reduced population viability.
While the other two subpopulations (Modimolle district
and south-western KNP) occur within protected areas,
there are no intermediate distribution records suggesting
gene flow between them. Agricultural practices on farms
surrounding the subpopulation from the vicinity of
Nylsvley Provincial Nature Reserve are altering and
degrading patches of suitable habitat on farms (Jackson
et al. 2007, 2008a, 2008b), and could be reducing
numbers at some locations of the Modimolle
subpopulation. Road infrastructure in KNP (soil
compaction) may create barriers for golden mole
movement. The direct and indirect impacts of various land
uses on the species and its natural habitat may be poorly
understood, but habitat fragmentation (especially in range-
restricted taxa) causes obstructions to animal movement
and thus prevents gene flow, increases inbreeding
potential, reduces genetic variability and increases risk of
extinction.
The species’ elusive habits often obscure signs of its
presence. Developers committed to following
recommendations of Environmental Management Plans
(EMP) and Requirements of Development (RoD) are
reliant on golden mole specialists for guidance in respect
of minimising impacts on the species. If genetic
clarification reveals that two taxa exist within the current
extent of occurrence (see Taxonomic Notes), adequate
measures to protect the reduced distributional ranges of
each taxon would be all the more important.
Inferred minor threats are predation by domestic pets and
persecution by gardeners and land owners.
Current habitat trend: Declining in area and quality. In
Mpumalanga, 40% of the grassland vegetation types are
listed as threatened and only 51% of the grasslands are
still natural and previously not ploughed (MTPA 2014).
The Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency (MTPA)
mapped all development applications received at a
cadastral scale over a 14-year period (2000–2014) and
showed that greatest pressure for land-use change has
come from prospecting applications (54% of the land
surface area of Mpumalanga) and mining (25% of land
surface area). The province can anticipate much greater
expansion in the mining sector than ever before (MTPA
2014). In Gauteng, there has been a 13% loss of natural
habitat between 1995 and 2009 (Driver et al. 2012). Much
suitable habitat remaining within their very limited range
along the Bronberg Ridge is undergoing severe
transformation and fragmentation as a result of
urbanisation and quartzite mining. The size and
connectedness of the remaining patches of suitable
habitat will define if they can sustain golden moles
(Jackson 2007; Jackson et al. 2007; Jackson & Robertson
2011).
Conservation
Two of the three known subpopulations are protected
within the KNP (south-western Pretoriuskop, Matjulwana
and Numbi gate areas) and Nylsvley Provincial Nature
Reserve, but the most threatened Bronberg Ridge
subpopulation is unprotected. In the former Transvaal
Province (South Africa), this species was given the highest
regional conservation priority score for mammals based
on regional occupancy, relative taxonomic distinctiveness,
endemism and vulnerability (Freitag & van Jaarsveld
1997). It was listed as Vulnerable under the Threatened or
Protected Species (ToPS) Regulations of the National
Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act of 2004
(NEMBA 2004), but will no longer be protected by ToPS
as it was suggested that the species is not directly utilised
by humans.
No Biodiversity Management Plan exists for the entire
species. However, a multifaceted approach will be
required to successfully conserve the species for future
generations. In the short term, it is imperative that current
attempts to integrate the available scientific data on the
species with policy and legislation persist. This will require
concerted efforts including legal intervention, commenting
Rank Intervention description Evidence in
the scientific
Data
quality
Scale of
evidence
Demonstrated
impact
Current
conservation
1 1.1 Site/Area Protection: protected area expansion
and biodiversity schemes based on key identified
sites.
Jackson &
Robertson
2011
Indirect Regional - GDARD
2 2.1 Site/Area Management: land managers should
reduce stocking rate and conserve vegetation/tree
cover.
Jackson et al.
2008a
Indirect Regional - None
3 5.4 Compliance & Enforcement: stricter law
enforcement of existing legislation.
- Anecdotal - - GDARD
4 5.1. Legislation: creation of new laws to protect the
Bronberg Ridge subpopulation.
- Anecdotal - - None
5 4.3 Awareness & Communications: public education
and awareness campaigns to increase support or
conservation.
- Anecdotal - - None
Table 3. Conservation interventions for the Juliana’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus julianae) ranked in order of effectiveness with
corresponding evidence (based on IUCN action categories, with regional context)
The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Neamblysomus julianae | 5
(especially among residents and local schools) to raise
the public profile of this species. Current research on
systematics status of the Pretoria subpopulation should be
expanded to incorporate conservation genetics data, and
a thorough risk assessment should be conducted.
Recommendations for land managers and
practitioners:
A Biodiversity Management Plan should be
developed for this species. Two subpopulations,
Modimolle and KNP, do not have systematic
monitoring schemes; but the Bronberg Ridge
subpopulation has a monitoring scheme in its
preliminary phase. GDARD has exercised strict
control over developmental actions that could
destroy the remaining patches of natural habitat
inhabited by the Bronberg Ridge subpopulation (and
the larger Bronberg ecosystem). GDARD has also
consistently applied the Gauteng Ridge Policy (Pfab
2001), a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the
larger Bronberg Ridge area and the Gauteng
Conservation Plan (Compaan 2011). The Species
Distribution Model for Juliana’s Golden Mole
(Jackson & Robertson 2011) was integrated in the
mammal layer of the Gauteng C-plan 3.3 (Compaan
2011). Golden mole specialists are also required to
provide all confirmed locality information to GDARD
for updating the sensitivity layer. A draft Biodiversity
Management Plan for the Bronberg Ridge
subpopulation has been compiled by GDARD
officials in association with golden mole specialists
(IUCN SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group), based on
Jackson et al. (2007). GDARD officials are also
monitoring the subpopulation, yet structured surveys
of its natural habitat in the area still need to be
implemented.
Incentivise landowners to de-stock to reduce
compacting soils as this species needs poorly
graded soils and soft soil substrates (Jackson et al.
2008b), and to maintain tree cover, such as
Terminalia sericea and Burkea africana to provide
shade and vegetation debris over the soils (Jackson
et al. 2008a).
A thorough risk assessment should be done for each
subpopulation to determine the effects of multiple
land uses on the suitable habitat remaining in its
distributional range.
Research priorities:
In the long term, many aspects of its distribution,
general biology, ecology, physiology, population
trends, taxonomy and population genetics require
further investigation to achieve effective conservation
management strategies for the future. However,
these should build on foundations already set
(Bronner 1995, 2013; Maree et al. 2003; Jackson et
al. 2008a, 2009; Jackson & Robertson 2011).
Current research on the systematics status of
subpopulations should be concluded and expanded
to assess genetic differentiation at a regional and
local scale.
Field surveys to discover other subpopulations and
key sites for priority protection. Such surveys can be
guided by the model developed by Jackson and
Robertson (2011) which has already been used to
successfully identify two previously unrecorded
subpopulations (in the vicinity of the Nylsvley
subpopulation).
on biodiversity policy and legislation drafts, increased
pressure from non-governmental conservation
organizations, residents associations and the general
public to ensure that laws, policies and regulations
warranting its protection are enforced. Provincial and
national regulatory bodies should be informed of the
severe threats facing this ancient and biologically unique
species.
Enforcement of existing legislation is urgently needed to
conserve the Bronberg Ridge subpopulation. According to
the Gauteng Ridge Policy (Pfab 2001), the Bronberg is a
Class 2 ridge (5%–35% has been transformed) and a no-
go development policy is applicable, whereby only low
impact developments will be considered, but then a full
Environmental Impact Assessment (including public
participation) is required. Gauteng Department of
Agriculture, Conservation and Land Affairs (GDACEL),
now Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development (GDARD), commissioned a Strategic
Environmental Assessment to assist in formulating a
policy to regulate development and activities in this area.
The sensitive nature of the Bronberg ecosystem as a
whole was emphasized in the Gauteng Conservation Plan
version 2 (C-Plan-2, 2006) and version 3 (C-Plan-3, 2011).
The authors of this report, based at various departments
at the University of Pretoria, started researching certain
aspects of the ecology and evolutionary relationships of
Juliana’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus julianae) in 2003.
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment (GDACE) appointed and tasked a specialist
researcher with compiling a conservation assessment of
the Bronberg subpopulation of the species, based on
ecological and molecular genetic findings that culminated
in a conservation management plan, specifying actions to
be implemented in an attempt to successfully conserve
this critically endangered population (Jackson et al. 2007).
Despite all these actions, and a separate EIA tabled by
EcoAssessments C.C. on behalf of local landowners, the
Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs in 2003 re-
issued a mining permit to allow mining to continue into the
foreseeable future. In the last quarter of 2013, the
Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) approved an
intervention strategy for rehabilitation and stabilising of a
slippage area in the quarry that will result in the loss of a
substantial portion of the largest continuous sections of
suitable habitat for the species remaining on the ridge,
and destroy the primary east-west movement corridor in
the process. Golden mole specialist researchers
confirmed the presence of and suitable habitat for the
species and strongly advised against the planned
intervention. Moreover, several residential and commercial
developments have also been approved (last 5–7 years) in
areas where clear signs of fresh activity and suitable
habitat for the species were found. Local residents (Shere
Residents Association) fiercely opposed the destruction of
the Bronberg ecosystem and resident golden moles
through legal action appeals via the NEMA process
(National Environmental Management Authorities), yet
these were all unsuccessful.
Sustained and concerted efforts, including legal
interventions, are needed to ensure support for GDARD in
implementing their policies and to convince relevant
provincial and national regulatory bodies of the dire
threats to this population. Non-governmental conservation
and legal organisations have now become involved in
actions to oppose such developments. Additionally, public
education efforts should be sustained and expanded
Neamblysomus julianae | 6 The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland
Encouraged citizen actions:
Report sightings on virtual museum platforms (for
example, iSpot and MammalMAP). However, due to
their subterranean lifestyle, citizen sightings may be
rare.
Look for distinctive signs of activity (surface runways
in deep pockets of sand on hillsides and ridges in
bushveld habitats, particularly in eastern Pretoria
where rapid urbanisation is degrading available
habitat) and report locations (with as much detail as
possible) to the IUCN SSC Afrotheria Specialist
Group (http://www.afrotheria.net/).
Deposit any dead specimens found in a state or
provincial museum, together with information on the
date and site where found.
Create indigenous vegetation gardens.
References
Bronner GN. 1990. New distribution records for four mammal
species, with notes on their taxonomy and ecology. Koedoe
33:1–7.
Bronner GN. 1995. Systematic revision of the golden mole genera
Amblysomus, Chlorotalpa and Calcochloris (Insectivora:
Chrysochloromorpha; Chrysochloridae). Ph.D. Thesis. University
of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Bronner GN. 2013. Neamblysomus julianae Juliana's Golden-
mole. Pages 253–254 in Kingdon J, Happold D, Hoffmann M,
Butynski T, Happold M, Kalina J, editors. Mammals of Africa,
Volume I: Introductory Chapters and Afrotheria. Bloomsbury
Publishing, London, UK.
Bronner GN, Bennett NC. 2005. Order Afrosoricida. Pages 1–21 in
Skinner JD, Chimimba CT, editors. The Mammals of the Southern
African Subregion. Third edition. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, UK.
Compaan PC. 2011. Gauteng Conservation Plan version 3.3 (C-
plan 3.3). Unpublished Technical Report (and subsequent
updates). Gauteng Nature Conservation, Gauteng Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Driver A, Sink KJ, Nel JN, Holness S, van Niekerk L, Daniels F,
Jonas Z, Majiedt PA, Harris L, Maze K. 2012. National Biodiversity
Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity
and ecosystems. Synthesis Report. South African National
Biodiversity Institute and Department of Environmental Affairs,
Pretoria, South Africa.
Freitag S, van Jaarsveld AS. 1997. Relative occupancy,
endemism, taxonomic distinctiveness and vulnerability:
prioritizing regional conservation actions. Biodiversity &
Conservation 6:211–232.
GeoTerraImage. 2015. Quantifying settlement and built-up land
use change in South Africa.
Jackson CR. 2007. The ecology and conservation of Juliana’s
golden mole (Neamblysomus julianae). M.Sc. Thesis. University of
Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Jackson CR, Hay Setsaas T, Robertson MP, Bennett NC. 2008a.
Ecological variables governing habitat suitability and the
distribution of the endangered Juliana’s golden mole. African
Zoology 43:245–255.
Jackson CR, Lubbe NR, Robertson MP, Setsaas TH, van der
Waals J, Bennett NC. 2008b. Soil properties and the distribution
of the endangered Juliana’s golden mole. Journal of Zoology
274:13–17.
Jackson CR, Maree S, Robertson MP, Bloomer P, Bennett NC,
Bronner GN. 2007. A Conservation Assessment of Juliana’s
Golden Mole (Neamblysomus julianae) on the Bronberg Ridge,
Gauteng, South Africa. Technical report compiled for Gauteng
Provincial Government, Department of Agriculture, Conservation
and Environment.
Jackson CR, Robertson MP. 2011. Predicting the potential
distribution of an endangered cryptic subterranean mammal from
few occurrence records. Journal for Nature Conservation 19:87–
94.
Jackson CR, Setsaas TH, Robertson MP, Scantlebury M, Bennett
NC. 2009. Insights into torpor and behavioural thermoregulation
of the endangered Juliana’s golden mole. Journal of Zoology
278:299–307.
Maree S, Bronner GN, Jackson CR, Bennett NC. 2003. The
conservation of golden moles (Afrosoricida; Chrysochloridae)
with emphasis on the status of Neamblysomus julianae in South
Africa. IUCN Afrotheria Specialist Group Newsletter 2:4–6.
MTPA. 2014. Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan Handbook.
Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency, Mbombela (Nelspruit),
South Africa.
Pfab M. 2001. Development Guidelines for Ridges. Internal report.
Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment (GDACE), Pretoria, South Africa.
Data sources Field surveys (literature, unpublished),
indirect information (literature,
unpublished), museum records
Data quality (max) N. julianae ~ Inferred
N. julianae Bronberg Ridge
subpopulation ~ Estimated
Data quality (min) N. julianae ~ Inferred
N. julianae Bronberg Ridge
subpopulation ~ Suspected
Uncertainty resolution Best estimate
Risk tolerance Evidentiary
Table 4. Information and interpretation qualifiers for the
Juliana’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus julianae) assessment
Data Sources and Quality
Assessors and Reviewers
Sarita Maree1†
, Nigel C. Bennett1, Gary Bronner
2†
1University of Pretoria,
2University of Cape Town
†IUCN SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group
Contributors
Andrew Taylor1, Claire Relton
1, Matthew F. Child
1
1Endangered Wildlife Trust
Details of the methods used to make this assessment can
be found in Mammal Red List 2016: Introduction and
Methodology.